On October 16, Russian Foreign Ministry officials made sharp remarks regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recently announced “Victory Plan.” They accused Zelensky of attempting to push NATO towards a direct conflict with Russia. This statement comes amidst the ongoing devastation in cities like Mariupol, which have suffered extensive damage due to Russian bombings.
Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, addressed the media, claiming that Zelensky’s speech to the Ukrainian Parliament would bring disaster upon the Ukrainian people. “Zelensky is driving NATO into direct confrontation with Russia,” she asserted, further adding that Zelensky cannot rely on his Western allies.
Zakharova noted, “Let me make it clear to Zelensky, in case he doesn’t understand… his partners in Kyiv have shown how they view Ukraine’s position within this security structure: they believe Ukraine is already in a coffin, and its citizens are buried within it.”
Russia has long criticized the West for using Ukraine as a pawn in a proxy war against Moscow. In contrast, the US and NATO allies argue that their efforts aim to help Ukraine defend itself against what they describe as Russia’s aggressive, colonial-style land grabs.
Zakharova also referenced a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin issued in September, stating that if the West allows Ukraine to use long-range missiles provided by them to strike within Russian territory, it would mean direct war with Russia. In that context, Putin indicated that Moscow would be compelled to take “appropriate measures.”
Zakharova emphasized that Zelensky is well aware of the potential consequences of his appeals to NATO. Earlier on the same day, the Kremlin expressed that it is too early to discuss the details of Zelensky’s plan, but it urged Ukraine’s leadership to “wake up” and realize that their pursued policies would be futile.
